| Dear Meeting Professional, Please enjoy this guest column by LA INC.'s new Senior Director of Sales Operations and Market Development, Barbara Kirklighter. Dear Meeting Professional, As the new senior director of sales operations and market development, I'm very pleased to be working with Michael Krouse and the entire LA INC. team. I'm also very happy to be here in LA. Having lived and worked in many places (my father was in the U.S. Navy), I know a great place when I see it. Before moving here three and a half years ago with my son (he's now in college), I often heard people say how friendly people are in Southern California. They were right. Maybe it's because people come here from so many places and know how wonderful it is to feel a part of their new home. Recently I was at a conference and when I exchanged cards with the man sitting next to me he said, "Wow. LA tourism is having a great year." Wow indeed. His remark reaffirmed what I had been feeling -- excited to be a part of LA INC. and working with members, hotels, and the entire hospitality community to show planners why LA is the perfect choice for them and their clients. I worked in the hotel industry for many years and loved it. But now I'm involved in a much broader picture -- entertainment, food, cultural aspects as well as hotels -- and I love that too. Part of my new position involves being at the computer searching databases. I then take all that data and turn it into ways that will help make your next meeting the best ever. And the friendliest. Sincerely,
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Barbara Kirklighter
Senior Director,
Sales Operations and Market Development
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 | JetBlue and New Lounges Take Flight at LAX JetBlue has recently announced an expansion of its low-fare service from the greater Los Angeles area. The airline, which will commence flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on May 21, will initially offer three daily flights to New York/JFK and once-daily flights to Boston. JetBlue has delivered on their commitment to building global partnerships by beginning services at LAX, which "will help strengthen the LAX international gateway as a key driver of Southern California's economy," said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. JetBlue currently flies out of LA/Ontario International Airport and Long Beach Airport, and is also introducing service from Burbank's Bob Hope Airport in May. As JetBlue finalizes its move into LAX, the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) continues to move forward on its multi-billion dollar capital improvement program. In early 2008, TBIT announced the completion of all four of its state-of-the-art airline lounges. Designed to incorporate the airline alliance concept, the STAR Alliance, oneworld Alliance, SkyTeam Alliance and a fourth, a non-affiliated independent lounge, replaced the terminal's outdated 16 lounges and expanded lounge space at TBIT by 72 percent to 47,000 square feet. Participating airlines have invested more than $20 million to provide business and first-class passengers deluxe service. The new lounges offer Wi-Fi access, individual work stations, showers, food service with local and ethnic favorites, reading material and VIP areas. |
  | LA INC. Citywide Site Tours Boom Only a little more than halfway through the 2008 fiscal year and LA INC. has already hosted 87 Citywide Site Tours, compared to 47 tours completed by the end of fiscal year 2007. Thanks to LA INC.'s Citywide Sales Team for capturing the clientele and LA INC.'s Client Services Team for hosting them, more than 90 percent of the clients who visit LA - book LA! This consistently high conversion rate is due to the outstanding skills, knowledge and dedication of the award-winning Client Services Team - which recently received its ninth consecutive Gold Service Award from Meetings & Conventions magazine. From initial contact until the last delegate departs, each Client Services specialist puts their expertise to work for convention clients every step of the way. Beginning with site inspections at meeting facilities, special event venues, theaters, restaurants, hotels and attractions, the award-winning team is also at the ready to help clients with strategic marketing opportunities, DMCs, transportation, guest/spouse programs and off-site venue selection. No wonder everyone books LA. Contact your Citywide Sales Director today to schedule a Site Tour. |
 | LA INC. Introduces the New 2008 MTPG The 2008 Los Angeles Meeting + Travel Professionals Guide is a single reference resource that gives meeting and travel professionals a valuable tool, allowing them to compare everything from guest rooms and meeting facilities to support services and amenities. With a distribution of 25,000, the guide reaches many key customers including association, corporate and independent meeting planners; travel agents, tour operators and travel wholesalers - both domestically and internationally. Together, these groups help bring in a substantial portion of the $14 billion spent by visitors in Los Angeles each year. The guide is assembled in a user-friendly format that includes exciting articles, captivating photography and comprehensive listings that make up this exclusive sales piece for LA INC. In line with the bureau's green initiative, LA INC. is pleased to announce this guide has been printed on recycled paper and is now also available to view and download on LA INC.'s new-look Web site, www.discoverLosAngeles.com. The 2008 Los Angeles Meeting + Travel Professionals Guide joins LA INC.'s portfolio of publications, including the Los Angeles Official Visitors Guide (published semi-annually) and the Los Angeles Visitor Map (published annually). |
 | What's New at Universal Studios Hollywood Two new event venues at Universal Studios Hollywood offer meeting professionals even more unique options. The Wild West Arena is a country western-style outdoor setting, suitable for 500 to 1,200 people and ideal for company picnics. The Moulin Rouge, designed in a pan-European style with a Parisian-style courtyard, is an indoor venue suitable for up to 150 people. Aside from a variety of additional venues to host your next meeting or event, Universal Studios Hollywood offers attendees a variety of entertainment options. Excitement is building for the May 17 opening of the new mega-attraction: The Simpsons. The ride will feature adventure and animated fun as guests are rocketed along through thrill rides, dark rides and "live" shows in a fantasy amusement park dreamed up by the show's irritable Krusty the Clown. In June, guests to the theme park can explore the new Universal Experience "Behind the Scenes of Universal Pictures" attraction where Hollywood's crown jewels will be on view as Universal Studios Hollywood mixes rare, never-before-seen props, costumes, wardrobe and artifacts with special effects displays. Group rates to Universal Studios Hollywood range from 10 percent off general admission for 10-20 people to 25 percent off general admission for 70 or more people. |
 | Downtown Gets Convenient Downtown continues to welcome new residential and commercial projects, as well as a whopping 10,000 new residents within the past four years. The area's influx of grocery stores and convenience marts is a direct indication of Downtown's resurgence. In July 2007, the Ralphs grocery store chain marked its return to Downtown after pulling out of the area more than 50 years ago. Categorizing Downtown as one of its "luxury" markets, the company opened one of its 25 upscale "Fresh Fare" Ralphs, with an emphasis on luxury items and specialty products. Also making its Downtown premiere in December 2007 was the 7-Eleven chain, which opened on the ground level of the Mandel Lofts at 7th and Olive streets. The store is Downtown's first 24-hour convenience mart. A high-end stop in Downtown is the Japanese convenience store, Famima!! Serving Downtown with to-go sushi and Chinese steamed buns since 2006, the chain recently opened its third Downtown location in the California Plaza. |
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Michael K. Krouse
Senior Vice President
Sales
Phone: 213-236-2359
Fax: 213-451-1459
mkrouse@lainc.us |
Why use a CVB? You'll save valuable time by working with LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau when planning your meetings or conventions in Los Angeles. Not only will LA INC. handle all aspects of your site inspection, but its award-winning client services department will meet - and exceed - your expectations. Among the other benefits you'll receive is an unbiased account of hotels and other venues that suit the needs of your group and access to LA INC.'s many member vendors, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, destination management companies and transportation companies, which will work with you in planning a successful, well-attended event. |   Gain access to a world of tools that will help make your next event a success!   NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE was named "Theatre of the Year" at the 19th annual Pollstar Concert Industry Awards in February.
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